2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Yoke seal

[Johnstra]

I did a search and found some info, but I have a couple of questions...



I have a small leak at what I think is the yoke seal on the sliding yoke from the transfer case. I can clean the u-joint and overnight a small drip of ATF will accumulate. Nothing is running down the outside of the yoke shaft.



Where exactly is the yoke seal? Is it on the end of the yoke that mates to the transfer case or is it down near the u-joint?



Thanks,

-john

 

[Extreme1]

Where is the drip hanging? The yoke itself has a frost plug type cap in the center which keeps the fluid in the T-case that gets past the splines. If someone slide the driveshaft onto the T-case a little too hard the plug can get bumped out of position and leak a little, I had this happen. It flung T-case ATF all over the bottom of the box and the tailgate would get spots of lube on it on long trips.



The u-joint was wet but not the seal or the yoke where it goes through the seal. I did replace the seal once but it didn't fix anything.



If the yoke is wet where it slides through the seal, the seal is bad. Grab the yoke and try to move it up and down, there is a bushing in there that could get worn and allow the yoke to move around enough to let lube past a weak seal. Even if it's a little sloppy, I'd try the seal first.

 

[Johnstra]

The yoke is dry. I can tell the fluid is definitely getting past the plug. What's involved in replacing/fixing the plug?

Thanks,

-john

 

[Extreme1]

It is a frost plug type of fit. You'll need to remove the driveshaft and the u-joint to get access. What I'd do is find a socket that is about the same OD as the plug and use it to drive the OD of the plug back down tight. Then use a smaller driver (or hold a ball peen hammer against the center of it) and hit it a couple time to expand the plug against the edges.



Take a good look at the plug to see if it looks like that will work. If it doesn't look like it will, the alternative is to take the yoke to an auto parts place (NAPA, not AutoZone) and see if they have a new frost plug the right size and replace it. Unless it's been recently changed, you might as well replace the u-joint while the old one is half out.



I got lucky, after 7 years of waiting for the u-joint to die, mine quite leaking!